Hi everyone -
I was previously able to get my BeatStep to sequence the Werkstatt with cables I made, but it was super fiddly.
I just got the CV Expander thinking it would make things easier to interface the Werkstatt with my other gear. However, now I can’t get the BeatStep to work at all. I can get my QuNexus to trigger it, but the tuning is way off with the exception of C3.
I’m sure I’m doing something extremely stupid. Anyone have thoughts on what it is?
Thanks!
How are you wiring it? Did anything change from before?
BeatStep Gate Out → WS Gate Out – which I understand also works as gate in.
BeatStep CV Out → WS Exp VCO In
That is exactly how I was going to hook my Beatstep and Werkstatt together.
However, I want to make sure I don’t overload the Werkstatt. The Beatstep puts out an 8 volt gate signal. The Werkstatt is expecting 5 volts max. Also, the CV out of the Beatstep is 0-7 volts. Again the Werkstatt is looking for -5 to +5 volts max.
I found some simple circuits on the Music From Outer Space site that should help interfacing the Werkstatt (or any synth) with higher voltages: http://www.musicfromouterspace.com/analogsynth_new/ELECTRONICS/SYNTH_INTERFACING/SYNTH_INTERFACING.php.
I have some parts coming in from Mouser soon and will test then.
Ken
Hi Natallica,
Be sure to follow the calibration procedure in the manual for the CV expander in order achieve proper pitch tracking. This should be done on a per-instrument basis as pitch voltage from instrument to instrument varies. Your Beatstep may not be outputting the voltage required to trigger the Werkstatt Gate. Set the VCA to the ON position and see if it tracks the pitch. If this works, you may need to step the voltage out of your Beatstep up.
Hope this helps,
Your Friends at Moog
Let me know how it goes. I still can’t get any gate in from the BS to trigger the thing.
If I turn the VCA to on and connect the CV out from the BS to the VCO Exp In, I just get a really high pitch and hitting the WS “keyboard” makes the pitch even higher.
Very strange that this all worked just fine with my ridiculously wonky setup of 1/4" mono from the BS to bare wires into the WS and an alligator clip cable giving ground via the chassis.
Okay. Stupid question alert!
How should we be generating the DC signals of 0V and +3V to calibrate? I’m curious as I’m not a modular user, but I do have several old and new analog synths with CV as well as a QuNexus and the Arturia BeatStep.
Thanks!
Well I’ve got good news and bad news…
First the Werkstatt gate out does function as a gate in. I sucessfuly opened it with voltages from 1.25 to 5 volts. This was direct from a power supply capable of 1 amp of current.
I did use that Zener diode circuit I referenced to tame the Beatstep’s near 8 volt signal.The bad news is that it appears that the Beatstep’s gate out just doesn’t have enough current to open the gate. I even lowered the resistor in hopes of allowing more current through. A quick Google search showed several people with gates that refused to open with the Beatstep. No mention of current though…
Maybe someone from Moog can tell use what the gate is looking for. In the meantime, I’m going to look at increasing the current with a transistor or using the Beatstep to control a switched voltage source to feed the gate.
CV out works fine. I didn’t test with a voltage limiting circuit though. That’s next…
I’m getting the new Korg SQ-1 this week so I’ll test that with the Werkstatt.
I have been able to control the Werkstatt with a Beatstep, Roland MPU-101 and Pittsburgh Modular MIDI3, both with and without the CV Expander. It does seem that the different gates can affect the Werkstatt output level, though.
I’m starting to wonder if my Expander has something wrong with it.
I took it off and am able to sequence the WS with my new SQ-1 just fine. I put it back on and nothing.
Based on my conversation with tech support today, it sounds like something isn’t right with my Expander.
I contacted Sweetwater and they’re sending me another one as soon as they get them in stock. I’ll report back once I get the replacement.
this might be a stupid question but when the cv expander is installed does that render the little patch cables useless?? it sorta looks that way in the pics i’ve seen?
Yes, you can no longer plug those ins, since the expansion port is inside their jack;. even though you could use another tool to make contact with them… couldn’t you??
I use the BeatStep with my Werkstatt and that works perfect.
But I do not use the gate out at Werkstatt. Insted I use the vey simple gate in mod found here:
http://forum.moogmusic.com/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=21902#p133775
Calibrating the BeatStep:
I can not guarante that this is good for Werkstatt as it seems that the Moog wants 5V for gate level and BeatStep gives 8V but I have not had any problem and everything works fine for me.
Same with the gate in mod.
I finally received my replacement Expander from Sweetwater and it works great.
Now all I have to do is the calibration procedure…
Wow. I can’t believe anyone asked such a stupid question. I sure do wish someone would answer it, because I’ve been wondering the exact same thing. Here’s another question that I bet’s even more stupid: How is a 0V signal different from no signal at all?
Sheepishly (but I have been reading up!),
Michael
Hello,
Could you please tell if you have managed to connect Werkstatt to Korg SQ1?
I’m desperately trying to do so but failed. I connect CV expander but the sound on output is not correct. Could you please be so kind to advise the scheme of connection and the settings of Korg SQ1 for work with Moog Werkstatt.
Thanks in advance!